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Adware:W32/Gator
| Name : | Adware:W32/Gator |
| Aliases : |
Adware.GAIN (Symantec) Adware:Win32/Clariagain (Microsoft) |
| Category: | Spyware |
| Type: | Adware |
| Platform: | W32 |
Summary
This program delivers advertising content to the user. It is usually annoying but harmless, unless it is combined with spyware or trackware.
Additional Details
This is the family description for the Adware:W32/Gator family of adware programs.
This adware family is associated with the Gator Corporation (since renamed to Claria Corporation, now no longer in operation) and its GAIN advertising network. Please refer to Claria description for a more detailed overview of the nature of this network.
Installation
Adware:W32/Gator variants are primarily components of a Gator-related adware program known as Trickler, which downloads these additional components to the affected system. Trickler is itself most likely installed by being bundled with third-party software.
During installation, Gator variants use registry Run keys as a launchpoint. They also commonly use the %temp%\fsg_tmp directory for storage of temporary files.
Activity
While active, the adware program attempts to connect to remote servers, most likely to retrieve advertising materials. Some representative connection attempts are:
Registry
Gator adware programs may create the following mutex to ensure only one copy is active at a time:
This adware family is associated with the Gator Corporation (since renamed to Claria Corporation, now no longer in operation) and its GAIN advertising network. Please refer to Claria description for a more detailed overview of the nature of this network.
Installation
Adware:W32/Gator variants are primarily components of a Gator-related adware program known as Trickler, which downloads these additional components to the affected system. Trickler is itself most likely installed by being bundled with third-party software.
During installation, Gator variants use registry Run keys as a launchpoint. They also commonly use the %temp%\fsg_tmp directory for storage of temporary files.
Activity
While active, the adware program attempts to connect to remote servers, most likely to retrieve advertising materials. Some representative connection attempts are:
• gs.gator.com
• gi.gator.com
• trickle.gator.com
Registry
Gator adware programs may create the following mutex to ensure only one copy is active at a time:
• Global\TricklerRunningMutex